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1998 Budget Worksession <br />August 25, 1997 <br />Page 8 <br /> <br />· 0-$6,600 <br /> <br />· 0-$4,000 <br /> <br />purchase this item now using 1997 city council <br />contingency funds <br />Move the equipment repair and maintenance capital <br />outlay request for a hoist to equipment reserve or <br />equipment certificate budget or purchase now using 1997 <br />city council contingency funds <br />Move the park capital outlay request for a mower to the <br />equipment reserve or equipment certificate budget or <br />purchase now using 1997 city council contingency funds. <br /> <br />An alternative to purchasing all of the equipment items noted above would be <br />simply to delete them from the budget and delay the request for a year or <br />more. <br /> <br />Another approach in helping to balance the budget is to increase some <br />revenue projections. We do this reluctantly, but we know we are conservative <br />in some of our revenue projections and in this regard we could probably gain <br />$10,000 through increasing revenues in the following categories: <br />building/zoning permits; plan check fees; liquor store transfers; and street <br />reserve transfers. <br /> <br />One issue that needs to be looked at is the school contribution for the police <br />liaison program. As most Councilmembers are aware, the city may not be <br />teaching the DARE program in the schools in Elk River. This is a School <br />Board decision. The county sheriffs department may provide this service at <br />a more economical price to the School District. This may result in a further <br />reduction in revenues and may increase the budget gap from what was noted <br />above. Regardless of what happens with the Elk River officers teaching the <br />DARE program, I believe it is appropriate for the city to establish a different <br />funding relationship with the School District for the police officers they are <br />requesting. Last year we had two DARE officers and a juvenile officer that <br />served the two junior highs and the senior high. It is assumed that even if <br />the DARE program is not taught by Elk River officers that at least this one <br />juvenile officer will remain. The School District, since about 20 years ago, <br />has reimbursed the city 42 percent of the salary/benefits for the police officers <br />that work in the schools. In reality, the police officers spend 75 percent of <br />their time in the school (9 out of 12 months), and the city has additional <br />expense in equipping the officers with uniforms, vehicles, etc. It is suggested <br />that the City Council establish a new funding formula between the city and <br />the School District for any officers that are full time in the schools. <br /> <br /> <br />